(05-31-2017 04:14 PM)AppManDG Wrote:  

(05-31-2017 11:56 AM)ericsaid Wrote:  

(05-31-2017 07:58 AM)CardinalBlackTrojan Wrote:  http://bleacherreport.com/articles/27106...l-for-2017

25. Appalachian State

What Makes Them Dangerous

Appalachian State's secondary was a major problem for most opponents in 2016. Though the Mountaineers allowed QBs to complete more than 57 percent of pass attempts, they took a "bend, don't break" approach and knew where to pick their spots. They finished the season with 20 interceptions against just 12 passing touchdowns allowed, and they get back four of the five team leaders in interceptions.

Room for Improvement

A fair amount of dumb luck goes into fumble recoveries. App State didn't have any of that luck last year, finishing dead last in the nation with one measly fumble recovery. Only forcing two fumbles had a lot to do with that. It has been a weakness of this team since joining the FBS ranks, as the Mountaineers forced just four fumbles in 2015 and six in 2014.

2017 Projection

They will immediately be put to a major test in the season opener against Georgia, but look for them to gradually claw their way back up the national rankings after that one. Facing Savannah State and dodging both Arkansas State and Troy in the Sun Belt schedule ought to help ensure they win at least nine games in the process.


6. Troy

What Makes Them Dangerous

With 22 interceptions and another 54 passes broken up, Troy had one of the most aggressive secondaries in the country last year. The Trojans either knocked down or picked off roughly 16 percent of the passes opponents attempted. Four of the five primary members of that secondary are back, including Blace Brown, who tied for the Sun Belt lead in interceptions with six.

Room for Improvement

That aggressive style of play occasionally burned the Trojans. They allowed 20 passing touchdowns and nearly 13 yards per completed pass. Even with four interceptions and four passes defended against Ohio in the Dollar General Bowl, Troy gave up more than 300 passing yards. It just seems silly to allow nearly 250 yards per game with a secondary this good.

2017 Projection

With non-conference road games against Boise State and LSU, both the pass and rush defense for Troy are likely headed for at least one rough day at the office. Outside of those two tests, though, Troy should be the team to beat in the Sun Belt thanks to a combined 15 returning starters on offense and defense. A second consecutive 10-win season is in play.

Pretty sure I remember Tennessee fumbling four times last season, only one of which was recovered. The primary recovery opportunity could have, though not for sure with the way Rubino played early on, put App in the drivers seat to seal the win.

I was impressed with Troy's defense all season long. I think most people expected, though few admitted, that playing App and Arkansas State back to back was a recipe for a let down, considering the physical nature of both App and Troy, not to mention the way the 2015 game ended.

We recovered the first fumble of the season, in the first game of the season, in the first quarter of the season. Didn't get another one the rest of the year.

I trust you checked which is why you were so specific, but that's the way I remember last season too... No fumble recoveries... Which is really atypical for AppState. Had me wondering by midseason if it was a tactical decision to focus on tacking and not stripping. It was very strange.

(05-31-2017 05:20 PM)GoAppsGo92 Wrote:  

(05-31-2017 04:14 PM)AppManDG Wrote:  

(05-31-2017 11:56 AM)ericsaid Wrote:  

(05-31-2017 07:58 AM)CardinalBlackTrojan Wrote:  http://bleacherreport.com/articles/27106...l-for-2017

25. Appalachian State

What Makes Them Dangerous

Appalachian State's secondary was a major problem for most opponents in 2016. Though the Mountaineers allowed QBs to complete more than 57 percent of pass attempts, they took a "bend, don't break" approach and knew where to pick their spots. They finished the season with 20 interceptions against just 12 passing touchdowns allowed, and they get back four of the five team leaders in interceptions.

Room for Improvement

A fair amount of dumb luck goes into fumble recoveries. App State didn't have any of that luck last year, finishing dead last in the nation with one measly fumble recovery. Only forcing two fumbles had a lot to do with that. It has been a weakness of this team since joining the FBS ranks, as the Mountaineers forced just four fumbles in 2015 and six in 2014.

2017 Projection

They will immediately be put to a major test in the season opener against Georgia, but look for them to gradually claw their way back up the national rankings after that one. Facing Savannah State and dodging both Arkansas State and Troy in the Sun Belt schedule ought to help ensure they win at least nine games in the process.


6. Troy

What Makes Them Dangerous

With 22 interceptions and another 54 passes broken up, Troy had one of the most aggressive secondaries in the country last year. The Trojans either knocked down or picked off roughly 16 percent of the passes opponents attempted. Four of the five primary members of that secondary are back, including Blace Brown, who tied for the Sun Belt lead in interceptions with six.

Room for Improvement

That aggressive style of play occasionally burned the Trojans. They allowed 20 passing touchdowns and nearly 13 yards per completed pass. Even with four interceptions and four passes defended against Ohio in the Dollar General Bowl, Troy gave up more than 300 passing yards. It just seems silly to allow nearly 250 yards per game with a secondary this good.

2017 Projection

With non-conference road games against Boise State and LSU, both the pass and rush defense for Troy are likely headed for at least one rough day at the office. Outside of those two tests, though, Troy should be the team to beat in the Sun Belt thanks to a combined 15 returning starters on offense and defense. A second consecutive 10-win season is in play.

Pretty sure I remember Tennessee fumbling four times last season, only one of which was recovered. The primary recovery opportunity could have, though not for sure with the way Rubino played early on, put App in the drivers seat to seal the win.

I was impressed with Troy's defense all season long. I think most people expected, though few admitted, that playing App and Arkansas State back to back was a recipe for a let down, considering the physical nature of both App and Troy, not to mention the way the 2015 game ended.

We recovered the first fumble of the season, in the first game of the season, in the first quarter of the season. Didn't get another one the rest of the year.

I trust you checked which is why you were so specific, but that's the way I remember last season too... No fumble recoveries... Which is really atypical for AppState. Had me wondering by midseason if it was a tactical decision to focus on tacking and not stripping. It was very strange.

TBH, I'd rather be known as a team that never misses a tackle than one that causes a lot of fumbles.

We had a good balance of that in 14/15, hated to see it go away last year.

(05-31-2017 05:20 PM)GoAppsGo92 Wrote:  

(05-31-2017 04:14 PM)AppManDG Wrote:  

(05-31-2017 11:56 AM)ericsaid Wrote:  

(05-31-2017 07:58 AM)CardinalBlackTrojan Wrote:  http://bleacherreport.com/articles/27106...l-for-2017

25. Appalachian State

What Makes Them Dangerous

Appalachian State's secondary was a major problem for most opponents in 2016. Though the Mountaineers allowed QBs to complete more than 57 percent of pass attempts, they took a "bend, don't break" approach and knew where to pick their spots. They finished the season with 20 interceptions against just 12 passing touchdowns allowed, and they get back four of the five team leaders in interceptions.

Room for Improvement

A fair amount of dumb luck goes into fumble recoveries. App State didn't have any of that luck last year, finishing dead last in the nation with one measly fumble recovery. Only forcing two fumbles had a lot to do with that. It has been a weakness of this team since joining the FBS ranks, as the Mountaineers forced just four fumbles in 2015 and six in 2014.

2017 Projection

They will immediately be put to a major test in the season opener against Georgia, but look for them to gradually claw their way back up the national rankings after that one. Facing Savannah State and dodging both Arkansas State and Troy in the Sun Belt schedule ought to help ensure they win at least nine games in the process.


6. Troy

What Makes Them Dangerous

With 22 interceptions and another 54 passes broken up, Troy had one of the most aggressive secondaries in the country last year. The Trojans either knocked down or picked off roughly 16 percent of the passes opponents attempted. Four of the five primary members of that secondary are back, including Blace Brown, who tied for the Sun Belt lead in interceptions with six.

Room for Improvement

That aggressive style of play occasionally burned the Trojans. They allowed 20 passing touchdowns and nearly 13 yards per completed pass. Even with four interceptions and four passes defended against Ohio in the Dollar General Bowl, Troy gave up more than 300 passing yards. It just seems silly to allow nearly 250 yards per game with a secondary this good.

2017 Projection

With non-conference road games against Boise State and LSU, both the pass and rush defense for Troy are likely headed for at least one rough day at the office. Outside of those two tests, though, Troy should be the team to beat in the Sun Belt thanks to a combined 15 returning starters on offense and defense. A second consecutive 10-win season is in play.

Pretty sure I remember Tennessee fumbling four times last season, only one of which was recovered. The primary recovery opportunity could have, though not for sure with the way Rubino played early on, put App in the drivers seat to seal the win.

I was impressed with Troy's defense all season long. I think most people expected, though few admitted, that playing App and Arkansas State back to back was a recipe for a let down, considering the physical nature of both App and Troy, not to mention the way the 2015 game ended.

We recovered the first fumble of the season, in the first game of the season, in the first quarter of the season. Didn't get another one the rest of the year.

I trust you checked which is why you were so specific, but that's the way I remember last season too... No fumble recoveries... Which is really atypical for AppState. Had me wondering by midseason if it was a tactical decision to focus on tacking and not stripping. It was very strange.

I was at 8 games, including Tenn, and watched the other 5. Not forcing and recovering fumbles is something that kinda sticks with you.